1. Applicant's Name: a. Application Date: 23 December 2015 b. Date Received: 6 January 2016 c. Counsel: None 2. REQUEST, ISSUES, BOARD TYPE, AND DECISION: The applicant requests a narrative reason change. The applicant seeks relief contending, in effect, his requested change is to exhibit a less negative narrative reason in order for him to effectively gain employment. He was separated from the Army due to misconduct while stationed in Korea. Up until his tour in Korea, his 14 years of military service was unblemished exhibiting no history of misbehavior. His reasons for requesting an assignment to Korea from Fort Bragg were extraordinary as he wished to gain the mandatory separation requirements necessary for divorce in the State of North Carolina. At the time, the applicant had been married for 14 years with three daughters. Upon his arrival to Korea, he experienced a deep depression that manifested into the negative actions that led to his separation. Since his separation, he has started his Master's Degree and he desires to use the degree to gain employment in the private sector. Per the Board's Medical Officer, based on the information available for review at the time, and both electronic military medical records (AHLTA) and electronic VA medical records (JLV) reviewed. AHLTA records indicate that the applicant had very few Behavioral Health contacts. On 13 December 2008, he was seen after he fell asleep on the side of the road with a BAC of 0.224. At this time, he was diagnosed with Alcohol Abuse. On 9 January 2014, he was diagnosed with Alcohol Dependence. A past history of having attended ADAPT for underage drinking while in the USAF was documented. Review of the VA Problem List indicates the diagnosis of Alcohol Dependence. Based on the information currently available, the applicant does not have a mitigating behavioral health condition for the offenses leading to his discharge from the Army. In a records review conducted at Arlington, VA on 10 March 2017, and by a 5-0 vote, the Board denied the request upon finding the separation was both proper and equitable. (Board member names available upon request) 3. DISCHARGE DETAILS: a. Reason / Authority / Codes / Characterization: Unacceptable Conduct / AR 600-8-24, Chapter 4-2b / JNC / NA / Honorable b. Date of Discharge: 24 April 2014 c. Separation Facts: (1) Date of Notification of Intent to Separate: 3 January 2014 (2) Basis for Separation: The applicant was informed to show cause for retention on active duty under the provisions of AR 600-8-24, paragraphs 4-2b(5), 4-2b(8), and 4-2c(5), for misconduct, moral, or professional dereliction, and conduct unbecoming of an officer due to the following reasons: On 29 May 2013, he was observed returning to the barracks. At that time, it was discovered that he had not signed in or out with a battle buddy, in violation of paragraph 3, WRC Policy Letter # 8. He was instructed to report to the WRC Commander for counseling. During the verbal counseling, he stated he had only left post once and had done so without a battle buddy. A commander's inquiry revealed that he had left post on two separate occasions. During the second verbal counseling, he maintained that he had only left base one time on 29 May 2013, returning to WRC at 0042 on 30 May 2013. The Defense Biometrical Identification (DBIDS) shows that he went off base on 26 May 2013 and returned on 27 May 2013. By leaving post without a pass, he violated paragraph 3, WRC Policy Letter# 8, and paragraph 1 O(c), 21D Command Policy Letter # 10-1, Curfew, Pass, and Leave. On 31 May 2013, he was given a written and verbal order by his battery commander, informing him of his conditions on liberty. He was ordered not to travel outside of Camp Casey or Camp Hovey for unofficial purposes without approval from the battery commander, and he was ordered not to consume any alcohol for 30 days. On diverse occasions he continued to be insubordinate by repeatedly violating the battery commander's direct order. A DBIDS report showed that he left post on four separate occasions after receiving his order, a fact that he admitted to when confronted by the commander. He left post on 6 June 2013, 9 June 2013, 19 June 2013, and 22 June 2013. On 8 June 2013 and 22 June 2013, he purchased alcohol on two separate occasions and admitted to drinking alcohol at least twice during the period of time in which he was prohibited from doing so. On 26 December 2013, he disobeyed a general order when he violated paragraph 5, 2d Infantry Division Command Policy Letter #10-1, Curfew, Pass, and Leave, when he was discovered by the Korean National Police off post at about 0400 hours. He received a General Officer Article 15 for the misconduct. Conduct unbecoming an officer is indicated by the above mentioned conduct. (3) Recommended Characterization: Honorable (4) Legal Consultation Date: On 7 February 2014, the applicant elected not to submit a resignation or request discharge in lieu of elimination, instead he submitted a rebuttal statement and requested to be retained on active duty. (5) GCMCA Recommendation Date / Characterization: 29 January 2014 / Honorable (6) DA Ad Hoc Review Board: 17 March 2014, Honorable (7) Separation Decision Date / Characterization: 25 March 2014, Honorable 4. SERVICE DETAILS: a. Date/Period of Appointment: 8 April 2010, Indefinite b. Age at Appointment/Education/GT Score: 29 / Bachelor's Degree / NA c. Highest Grade Achieved / MOS / Total Service: O-2 / 13A, Field Artillery, General / 14 years, 8 months d. Prior Service / Characterizations: USAF, 25 August 1999 to 7 December 2009 / HD RA, 8 December 2009 to 7 April 2010 / HD e. Overseas Service / Combat Service: Korea / NIF f. Awards and Decorations: AFAAM, AFCM, AAM-2, AFOUA, AFGCM-2, NDSM, GWOTEM, GWOTSM, KDSM, AFMER, AFTNGR, AFLSR, OSR g. Performance Ratings: 8 April 2010 thru 20 February 2012, Fully Qualified 20 February 2012 thru 30 October 2012, Best Qualified 30 October 2012 thru 26 March 2013, Best Qualified h. Disciplinary Action(s) / Evidentiary Record: FG Article 15, dated 31 July 2013, for failing to obey a lawful order not to travel off post (6, 9, and 22 June 2013 and 26 and 29 May 2013), failed to obey a lawful order not to consume alcohol (8 and 22 June 2013), and failure to obey a lawful order to be in his assigned barracks room (27 and 30 May 2013). The punishment consisted of a forfeiture of $2,584 pay per month for two months; restriction for 60 days; and, a written reprimand. GO Article 15, dated 24 January 2014, for violating a lawful general order by wrongfully being off-installation after curfew (26 December 2013). The punishment consisted of a forfeiture of $2,682 pay per month for two months (suspended), restriction for 60 days, and a written reprimand. i. Lost Time / Mode of Return: None j. Diagnosed PTSD / TBI / Behavioral Health: None 5. APPLICANT-PROVIDED EVIDENCE: Online application, with all allied documents listed in the supporting documentation information section of the application. 6. POST SERVICE ACCOMPLISHMENTS: The applicant is pursuing a Master's Degree. 7. REGULATORY CITATION(S): Army Regulation 600-8-24, Officer Transfers and Discharges, sets forth the basic authority for the separation of commissioned and warrant officers. Chapter 4 outlines the policy and procedure for the elimination of officers from the active Army for substandard performance of duty, misconduct, moral or professional dereliction, and in the interest of national security. A discharge of honorable, general, or under other than honorable conditions characterization of service may be granted. Army Regulation 635-5-1 (Separation Program Designator (SPD) Codes) provides the specific authorities (regulatory or directive), reasons for separating Soldiers from active duty, and the SPD codes to be entered on the DD Form 214. Secretary of Defense Memorandum for Secretaries of the Military Departments (Subject: Supplemental Guidance to Military Boards for Correction of Military/Naval Records Considering Discharge Upgrade Requests by Veterans Claiming Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, dated September 3, 2014), provided guidance to help ensure consistency across the military services in consideration of PTSD relevant to Service Members' discharges. "Liberal consideration will be given in petitions for changes in characterization of service to service treatment record entries which document one of more symptoms which meet the diagnostic criteria of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) or related conditions. Special consideration will be given to Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) determinations which document PTSD or PTSD-related conditions connected to military services. In cases where Service Records or any document from the period of service substantiated the existence of one or more symptoms of what is now recognized as PTSD or PTSD-related condition during the time of service, liberal consideration will be given to finding that PTSD existed at the time of service. Liberal consideration will also be given in cases where civilian providers confer diagnoses of PTSD or PTSD-related conditions, when case records contain narratives that support symptomatology at the time of service, or when any other evidence which may reasonably indicate that PTSD or a PTSD-related disorder existed at the time of discharge which might have mitigated the misconduct that caused the under other than honorable conditions characterization of service. This guidance in not applicable to cases involving pre- existing conditions which are determined not to have been incurred or aggravated while in military service." 8. DISCUSSION OF FACT(S): The applicant requests a narrative reason change. The applicant's record of service, the issues and documents submitted with his application were carefully reviewed. The record confirms that the applicant's discharge was appropriate because the quality of his service was not consistent with the Army's standards for acceptable personal conduct and performance of duty by Army officers. It brought discredit on the Army and was prejudicial to good order and discipline. The applicant diminished the quality of his service below that meriting an honorable discharge. The applicant provided no corroborating evidence demonstrating that either the command's action was erroneous or that his service mitigated the unacceptable conduct or poor duty performance, such that he should have been retained. Further, the applicant's record contains no evidence of arbitrary or capricious actions by the command. The applicant contends that a change in the reason for the discharge would allow for better employment opportunities. However, the SPD code of "JNC" is the appropriate code to assign officers who are discharged for unacceptable conduct. The regulation further stipulates that no deviation is authorized. Further, the Board does not grant relief for the purpose of gaining employment or enhancing employment opportunities. The applicant contends that he had good service. The applicant's service accomplishments and the quality of his service prior to the incidents that caused the initiation of discharge proceeding were carefully considered. The applicant is to be commended for his accomplishments. The applicant contends that he was having family issues that affected his behavior and ultimately caused him to be discharged. However, he had many legitimate avenues through which to obtain assistance or relief and there is no evidence in the record that he ever sought such assistance before committing the misconduct which led to the separation action under review. The applicant contends he was suffering from depression. However, the service record contains no evidence of a diagnosis for depression and the applicant did not submit any evidence to support the contention that the discharge was the result of any medical condition. The discharge was consistent with the procedural and substantive requirements of the regulation, was within the discretion of the separation authority and that the applicant was provided full administrative due process. 9. BOARD DETERMINATION: In a records review conducted at Arlington, VA on 10 March 2017, and by a 5-0 vote, the Board denied the request upon finding the separation was both proper and equitable. 10. BOARD ACTION DIRECTED: a. Issue a New DD-214 / Issue a New Separation Order: No b. Change Characterization to: No Change c. Change Reason to: No Change d. Change SPD / RE Code to: No Change e. Restore (Restoration of) Grade to: No Change Authenticating Official: Legend: AWOL - Absent Without Leave GD - General Discharge NCO - Noncommissioned Officer SCM - Summary Court Martial BCD - Bad Conduct Discharge HS - High School NIF - Not in File SPCM - Special Court Martial BH - Behavioral Health HD - Honorable Discharge NOS - Not Otherwise Specified SPD - Separation Program Designator CG - Company Grade Article 15 IADT - Initial Active Duty Training OAD - Ordered to Active Duty TBI - Traumatic Brain Injury CID - Criminal Investigation Division MP - Military Police OMPF - Official Military Personnel File UNC - Uncharacterized Discharge ELS - Entry Level Status MST - Military Sexual Trauma PTSD - Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder UOTHC - Under Other Than Honorable Conditions FG - Field Grade Article 15 NA - Not applicable RE - Reentry VA - Veterans Affairs ARMY DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD CASE REPORT AND DIRECTIVE AR20160000065 1